Héroes que corren: Dylan Vidoli

For every virtual race in 2020, NYRR is highlighting frontline and essential workers in our Heroes on the Run series. Running is a source of strength, especially over these last several months, and we are grateful for the everyday heroes who keep our community safe and keep us running—sometimes while running themselves. These runners inspire us with their bravery, dedication, and selflessness and it is our privilege to recognize them. 

This week with the Virtual NYRR Staten Island Half, we honor firefighter Dylan Vidoli as our Hero on the Run.

Dylan, 31, is with Engine Company 225 in Brooklyn and an active member of the FDNY Running Club. Dylan has run the NYRR Staten Island Half in-person race three times previously—including the 2019 event—and completed the TCS New York City Marathon in 2018 and 2019 (where he's shown finishing, below). This week he’s running the Virtual NYRR Staten Island Half.

The year 2020 has been challenging for Dylan. During the height of the pandemic in NYC last spring, he was transferred to another Brooklyn firehouse, Ladder Company 103, to help meet the skyrocketing number of 911 calls for cardiac arrests and COVID-19 cases. Along with the rest of the members of Ladder 103, Dylan had to work a 24-hour shift once every four days. The company went from receiving one cardiac arrest call a week to half a dozen calls a day, on top of responding to the fire emergencies. Dylan and his fellow FDNY members provided extra resources and hands on-site for 911 calls, helping with CPR and other needs of COVID patients.

"Working in Brooklyn throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been a jarring, distressing experience," said Dylan. "The FDNY was seeing its highest medical call volume since 9/11 at an increase of about 40% from an average day. This, coupled with decreased staffing from the members who were testing positive, made for long and stressful days, and showed just how difficult it is to fight against the virus."

Dylan has run more than normal during the pandemic as a way to destress and stay active. He ran outdoors, always wearing a mask or buff and practicing safe social distancing, even during the worst days of the pandemic when the streets of NYC were eerily quiet. 

"Running has always been a great way to help keep me fit for duty, but it became more than that," he said. "It became a means of relief, an outlet during quarantine, and a way for me to safely spend some time outside in the fresh air when most of our days were being spent trapped indoors."

Follow #HeroesOnTheRun to join us in celebrating Dylan and all of our everyday heroes. NYRR will feature a runner who is serving or served on the front lines of the pandemic as our Hero on the Run for each of our remaining virtual races in 2020. Learn more and complete our survey if you'd like to be considered as a Hero on the Run.